Turkiye-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement
Date of publication: July 31, 2026.
Overview
Turkiye has taken a significant step toward implementing the Turkiye-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) published in Official Gazette on July 31, 2026. The Decision amends Turkiye's Import Regime and establishes preferential customs treatment for specified goods originating in the Republic of Maldives. The legal basis for the implementation includes Decision No. 10693, which approved the Preferential Trade Agreement between Turkiye and the Maldives.
The Decision introduces preferential customs duty rates and, in certain cases, exemptions from additional financial obligations for a defined list of products imported from the Maldives. The measures will enter into force on
August 1, 2026
.Key changes
The Decision adds a list of Maldivian-origin goods to Turkiye's Import Regime, specifying the customs duty rates and additional financial obligations applicable upon importation. Goods covered by the preferential treatment are primarily concentrated in the fisheries and seafood sectors.
Chapter 03 - Fish and Crustaceans, Molluscs and Other Aquatic Invertebrates
The preferential treatment covers a broad range of products classified under Chapter 03, including:
- Live fish
- Fresh or chilled fish
- Frozen fish
- Fish fillets and other fish meat
- Dried, salted, and smoked fish
- Crustaceans
- Molluscs
- Other aquatic invertebrates
Chapter 23 - Residues and Waste from the Food Industries; Prepared Animal Feed
The agreement also provides preferential treatment for certain fish-based products classified under
Heading 2301
, including fish meal and similar products derived from fish and aquatic species used in animal feed applications. These products are granted preferential customs treatment under the amended Import Regime.Chapter 16 - Preparations of Meat, Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs or Other Aquatic Invertebrates
In addition to products covered under Chapter 03 and 23, Turkiye has established tariff
quota arrangements for certain processed fish and seafood products originating in the Maldives
under the framework of the Turkiye-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement. These measures extend preferential market access beyond raw and minimally processed fisheries products to selected value-added seafood preparations classified in Chapter 16
, subject to tariff quota administration and applicable origin requirements.Depending on the product classification, duty rates range from
0% to reduced preferential rates
, with many products benefiting from duty-free access and/or exemption from additional financial obligations.Conclusion
The implementation of the Turkiye-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement marks an important development in Turkiye's trade relations with the Maldives and provides preferential market access for a range of fisheries and seafood products. By introducing reduced customs duties and preferential treatment for qualifying imports, the agreement is expected to support bilateral trade and enhance supply chain opportunities within the seafood sector.
Recognizing the importance of these changes,
ONESOURCE Global Trade Content
has been updated to reflect the new preferential tariff measures introduced under Presidential Decision No. 11563. For more information on how ONESOURCE Global Trade solutions can help manage preferential trade agreements, tariff changes, supply chain risk, and regulatory compliance obligations, please contact your Account Manager
or Customer Success Manager
.